Our suite at Cardiff Gate Business Park comprises an:

Open and Upright MRI scanner (MrOpen, Paramed Medical Systems)

• The scanner is completely open above and to the front and rear of the patient, thereby avoiding any sense of claustrophobia
• Patients can be scanned in their position of pain whether it is sitting, standing, bending or lying down
• Extra wide space ensures larger patients feel comfortable and relaxed during the scan
• The magnet requires no liquid helium to cool , making it significantly quieter, safer and more environmentally friendly

If you require CT or an EOS scan, please refer to our London centre in Harley Street and our Partner in Newport at St Joseph's Hospital.

Open MRI Scans & Services available at ESC Cardiff

Open MRI Weight Bearing and Positional Scanning

Upright MRI is changing the clinical approach towards musculoskeletal imaging, particularly of the spine and joints, but also hips, knees, feet and ankles. By allowing earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis, it is improving overall patient outcomes.

Most symptoms experienced from pathology affecting our spines and joints are appreciated in the upright position, not when lying down. Unfortunately, conventional scanners can only image in the supine position.

The Open MRI Scanner can image the patient sitting or standing and also in positions that may be associated with maximal symptoms. In the spine, this strategy can uniquely be used to demonstrate instability e.g. due to vertebral slipping, or positional-dependent disc herniation.

Our experience indicates that upright imaging reveals significant abnormalities in approximately 30% of patients that are not visible on supine scans.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Imaging

Musculoskeletal disorders are extremely common with 80% of adults having at least one episode of back pain in their life. Whilst the majority will get better on their own, a significant number will go on to develop disabling symptoms that require detailed assessment and management. The correct diagnosis of MSK conditions requires accurate imaging so as to facilitate the most effective treatment.

The ESC's Open and Upright MRI Scanner offers the unique ability to scan patients in the position that causes the most symptoms, which is nearly always standing up. We use upright scanning in an analogous way as conventional imaging utilises contrast. This improves diagnostic accuracy and frequently leads to improved clinical outcome. Our experience shows that upright imaging reveals significant abnormalities in approximately 30% of patients that are not visible on laying scans.

Pelvic Floor Dynamic Upright MRI

Stress or urge incontinence is a frequent occurrence in women, especially after child-birth. It results in involuntary or unintentional leaking of small amounts of urine during physical movement (e.g. coughing, sneezing and exercising). It causes considerable distress but is easily treated once correctly diagnosed.

Upright MRI allows more accurate diagnosis of this distressing condition compared to traditional physical examination or other imaging investigations. It does not use x-rays and is therefore safer than other techniques such asvoiding cystogram.

At ESC, pelvic MRI scans are performed with the patient sitting or standing, and then when they push down, straining into the pelvis. It is a much more physiologically relevant means of imaging and offers a novel and major advance in imaging this condition.

Neurology

Neurological symptoms such as persistent headaches or numbness are a frequent but worrying condition. We understand that individuals will wish for a rapid and definitive diagnosis but also that most current MRI scanners are unpleasant and claustrophobic. Our fully open MRI scanner offers a patient friendly experience and with rapid appointments and scan reporting by expert neuroradiologists allows a prompt answer.

ENT

MRI imaging is often used to look at internal soft tissue structures in detail, for example in the ear to exclude the possibility of a lesion affecting the hearing nerves. Our Open MRI scanner is suitable for all ENT examinations including examination of the IAMS (Internal Auditory Meatus) as well as performing excellent non-contrast MR angiograms of the Circle of Willis (main blood vessels withing the brain) to diagnose pulsatile tinnitus. It also allows superb imaging of the sinuses.

 

Cardiff Prices

We aim to be as competitive as possible in our pricing and do not seek to charge a premium for the specialist services we offer. However, our pricing has to reflect the significant increased costs of the open mri scanner (times that of a conventional scanner) and it’s increased installation costs.

We are recognised by all private medical insurance providers, if you wish to use your insurance, please bring your membership details with you and contact your insurer to get authorisation for the scan beforehand.

Open & Upright MRI Procedures	Price
Open MRI 1 Part Scan	£495
E.g. - Open MRI Brain/Head or MRI Spine (Lumbo-Sacral) Routine
Open MRI 2 Part Scan	£695
For example - MRI Spine (Lumbo-Sacral) Routine + Upright or MRI Shoulder Routine + Upright
Open MRI 3 Part Scan	£975
For example - MRI Spine (Cervical + Thoracic) Routine + Upright
Open MRI 4 Part Scan	£1250
For example - MRI Total Spine
Contrast	£150
For example - Gadolinium contrast medium makes certain tissues, abnormalities or disease processes more clearly visible

 

As well as standing (upright) and weight bearing scans, we also offer a range of MRI Flexion and Extension scanning. Please call for details.